Another worried third year ... please respond

[Student2005]

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I have posted this question in the past: I am a 3rd year, 221 Step 1, AOA currently, research going. Step 2 hopefully will go better, never have been a standardized test killer.

Where should I do away rotations 4th year to improve my chances of recommendations. Realistically looking for a middle tier school to eventually do some sort of interventional radiology because..well it looks to be an amazing job with an amazing future.

Any input is greatly appreciated.

 

[oldandtired]

You WILL match somewhere. Apply all over. Dont waste your time on radiology rotations during your 4th year. Instead, take electives in something that you will not be exposed to anymore- derm, rad onc, scuba diving in hawaii, etc.

 

[Student2005]

Do you think I should do an away rotation at a place that I might want to go to? You are the first person that has said I should not do away rotations. I guess I am not as confident as you are that I will match. Obviously I want to match somewhere I would enjoy. I feel based on conversations in here that top tier schools are out, but what about high middle tier with a 230 on Step 2? It is hard for me not to worry about numbers. I want to pursue the best strategy to land me at a program where I can eventually do interventional fellowships. Again, any input is appreciated.

 

[Voxel]

As of today you can do interventional radiology from just about any program. Don't sweat it. I don't think this will change in the near future (4-5 years). However you never know.

 

[oldandtired]

I work with medical students on a daily basis. I do not remember any of them and rarely do they every stand out in a positive way. Most of the time they get in the way and slow me down.

The best medical students are the ones who are laid back, easy to deal with and ready to help if ASKED. They do not ask a million questions and do not try to impress with their knowledge. I expect you to know nothing. If you know too much I think that you are to anal and probably will not be fun to work with. Thats how I am.

I would not do any rotations in radiology outside your home institution it is an utter waste. You WILL not impress anyone. You will waste your time as radiology can not be learned by doing several medical student rotations.

Also it really does not matter where you do your residency in as far as obtaining fellowships or jobs in the future. I tell this to medical students all the time- go somewhere where you will be happy living for FOUR years and somewhere where you think you will do well. Name is nice, but will not make you happy.


Good luck

 

[Primate]

Hey O&T,

Do you think name matters at all for academic spots post-training?

P

 

[oldandtired]

It may help for certain highly desired fellowships. For instance if you want to do an MRI fellowship at Penn, it would probably help if you did your residency there. Otherwise it does not matter. Many fellowships did not fill, even at prestigious places last match.

 

[Primate]

Thanks.

By chance, are you a rads resident? Just curious (not sure if you've posted that somewhere, but thought I'd just ask).

P

 

[SBL]

I'm a third year who is seriously considering Radiology. I have a 230 on Step 1, and I have scored in the top 25% of my class on most exam during year I and II.
The thing is, I don't know if I will me AOA requirements as the first poster did. Is this weighed very significantly?
Also, how important are extracurricular activities? I have two community service activities and tutored first year students, but I have not done any research projects yet.

Thanks for any advice.... 🙂